The Social Security Disability process can be long and strenuous. It can take the Social Security Administration (SSA) between six to twenty four months. You will have to decide when you should apply for disability, fill out numerous forms, obtain medical documentation, file appeals and attend a disability hearing if necessary.
It can be easy to get confused and make mistakes that could end up with your disability benefits being delayed or even denied. Listed below are common mistakes that you should avoid when applying for disability benefits:
- Applying for disability benefits too soon
- Applying for Disability while Receiving Unemployment Benefits
- Assuming You Don’t Need or Can’t Afford a Disability Lawyer
- Applying for the Wrong Type of Disability Benefits (SSDI or SSI)
- Discontinuing Treatment with Your Physician
- Assuming that your Consultative Exam Will Give Enough Medical Proof of your Disability
- Failing to Go to Your Social Security Disability Medical Examination
- Filing a New Disability Claim, Rather than Appealing a Denial
- Filing an Incomplete Disability Claim
- Not Checking the Status of Your Disability Claim
- Not Re-Applying for Benefits if Your Condition Worsens
- Not Including your Mental Disabilities in your Application
- Waiting Too Long to Apply for Disability Benefits
- Not Having a Disability that Qualifies for Disability Benefits
- Not Preparing for Your Disability Hearing
- Not changing inaccurate information after your application has been denied
- Not Taking Advantage of Other Benefits while Applying for SSDI or SSI
